Rosacea/Redness

Rosacea/Redness

At Kitagawa Dermatology in Honolulu, patients come to receive treatment for a number of skin issues including rosacea or redness of the skin. Dr. Kitagawa and his caring staff will discuss your circumstances, history, and areas of concern. Rosacea treatment options will be discussed and, once an appropriate facial redness reduction plan is settled upon, the procedure will be scheduled and put in place.

If rosacea or facial redness is adversely affecting you, contact Kitagawa Dermatology today about your concerns, rosacea treatment options, and our medical services. Oahu native Dr. Kory Kitagawa is a cosmetic and medical dermatologist in Honolulu. He and the team at Kitagawa Dermatology are known for their easygoing demeanor, enduring passion about skin care, and compassion for their patients.

Continue Reading

What is Rosacea?

Pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha,” it is a chronic skin disorder than can very much disrupt your life. It does not seem to discriminate concerning whom it affects, but those who are fair-skinned seem to be at greater risk. More women than men are affected; yet, men seem to have more severe rosacea symptoms.

The areas affected most by chronic skin inflammation are those of the face, particularly the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Many cases have been reported to cause redness of the neck, ears, scalp, and chest, as well. Rosacea flare-ups often occur after the age of 30 and can be typified by fluctuations in flare-ups and remissions.

What are Common Skin Inflammation Symptoms?

From one person to the next, rosacea symptoms can be very different. In general, as time passes, facial redness often becomes more persistent, with blood vessels becoming visible. There are several primary symptoms and various secondary symptoms that often show up with the onset of this troublesome ailment.

Primary Rosacea Symptoms

At least one of these is always present:

Flushing – Frequent blushing or red flushing is common and usually the first sign, and it may come and go without warning.

Persistent Redness – This seems to be the most common individual sign, very similar to a blush or sunburn that never vanishes.

Bumps and Pimples – Small red, pus-filled bumps or pimples often develop, though without blackheads and with a burning or stinging sensation.

Visible Blood Vessels – For many people, small blood vessels appear on the skin.

Secondary Rosacea Symptoms

One or more of the following skin redness symptoms may also occur with a flare-up: eye irritation, burning or stinging sensations, skin appears dry, raised red patches called plaques, thickening of the skin, and facial redness and swelling.

If you experience any of the symptoms above, especially a combination of these symptoms, contact a medical dermatologist in Honolulu like Dr. Kitagawa and his staff at Kitagawa Dermatology for effective rosacea treatment and management.

Types of Chronic Skin Inflammation and Redness

It’s believed that there are four types of rosacea, with many patients experiencing multiple types simultaneously or one after the other. These types include the following:

Subtype 3(phymatous) includes thickening of the skin that could lead to nose enlargement due to excess tissue.

Subtype 4(ocular) involves the eyes, including dry eye, burning tears, frequently recurring styes, swollen eyelids, and damage to the cornea, which could result in loss of vision.

It is possible that the rosacea skin disorder does not progress from one type to another, but it is also common for each symptom to go from mild to moderate to severe. That’s why early diagnosis and rosacea treatment from Kitagawa Dermatology in Hawaii are strongly recommended.

What Causes Rosacea?

Unfortunately, the exact rosacea causes are not currently known, which is why determining a rosacea treatment has been so difficult. However, there are various theories, though none confirmed.

Research continues to identify causes, uncover new ideas, and prove or disprove the current theories, and uncover new ideas. Hopefully soon, the origins and process of this skin complication will be discovered, leading to a better understanding of rosacea treatments, facial redness reduction, prevention, and/or possible cures.

Common Rosacea Treatments

The causes of rosacea are unknown. So, too, is a rosacea cure. The best rosacea treatment is limited to controlling or managing its symptoms, and any redness treatments must be tailored to each individual’s particular case because the symptoms can vary widely from patient to patient.

Oral or topical medications can be prescribed for the associated bumps and pimples that often accompany a flare-up. For reduction of facial redness, a topical treatment can be used.

In certain instances, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and PDL (Pulsed Dye Laser) treatments are used for visible vein removal, facial redness reduction, or nose disfigurement correction. If a patient’s eyes are being affected by rosacea, oral antibiotics can used to mitigate these.

A gentle, non-abrasive skin care regimen can be implemented and followed for effective rosacea treatment, as well. Using mild cleansers, non-abrasive cloths, and protection from sun exposure can help reduce suffering. Some patients even use cosmetics that are gentle on the skin to cover up the effects.

In discussing your circumstances with a skilled dermatologist at Kitagawa Dermatology, it may be determined that avoiding certain lifestyle or environmental conditions that cause flare-ups is crucial to managing your symptoms, facial redness reduction, and overall rosacea treatment.

Consult Honolulu Skin Redness Reduction Specialists

To discover your triggers, discuss possible rosacea treatment options, or ask any questions about issues, contact Kitagawa Dermatology or call 808.533.4434. The office is conveniently located in the Kuakini Medical Plaza in Honolulu, so schedule a personalized consultation today.